Title: Pianist, Conductor, Musical Director
Company: Bertam Publishing
Location: Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Demetrios Pappas, Pianist, Conductor, and Musical Director at Bertam Publishing, has been recognized by Marquis Who’s Who Top Artists for dedication, achievements, and leadership in music.
An accomplished musical professional, Mr. Pappas has found success as a pianist, conductor, and musical director with Bertam Publishing. Since 2008, he has been the musical director of Smokey Robinson, and from 2000 to 2004, he garnered experience as a keyboardist with the Funk Brothers. From 1997 to 1999, Mr. Pappas was the musical director for Nell Carter.
Mr. Pappas has been a professional musician for 50 years. Smokey Robinson, whom Mr. Pappas manages, won the Gershwin Award in 2016 and played at the White House in 2015. Mr. Pappas accompanied Smokey Robinson to the Kennedy Honors in December 2021, where they performed together. He is a member of the American Federation of Musicians Local 802, a musician’s union.
In preparation for his career pursuits, Mr. Pappas studied music performance at Keene State College from 1974 to 1975 and completed coursework at the Berklee College of Music from 1975 to 1976. His areas of expertise include classical music, jazz, piano, and accompaniment. Mr. Pappas attributes his success to the talent he developed as a pianist and music student and his work ethic. Among his career accomplishments, he considers playing on The Tonight Show the highlight of his career.
Mr. Pappas has been studying and playing music since he was a child. He drew inspiration from his father, who was a drummer, and after attending college for two years, he went on the road as a musical performer with many different bands and groups. Among his performance positions, he played in the pit orchestra for the Broadway play “Mamma Mia!” for six weeks and afterward joined Smokey Robinson full-time.
Mr. Pappas secured a three-record deal with Naxos to create jazz versions of Broadway shows. The finished work included several of his original compositions. He also worked with both Nell Carter and Aretha Franklin. In the coming years, he hopes to compose more and continue working as long as he is able.
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